Seb was a star. Really, he has absolutely transformed from the horse I brought him over as. He just went into the arena and did his job perfectly. He didn't fall behind my leg, his extensions felt really good (considering I thought he was useless at an extended trot, now he is a machine at them!) and his pirouettes and changes were all spot on. There was only a couple of blips here and there, but nothing major and I am so glad for once there were no "needs more engagement" comments on my sheets.
The trailer/lorry park in a field across the road.
It was such a cute show, all the dressage people had a big tent with a food stand where you could buy coffee, cake, pancakes, and later the BBQ came out with the bratwurst. Of course beer and prossecco were present too! Everybody sat around together and they are all so friendly, it is such a good community of dressage people here. There are quite a few people I know that are always around that are connected to Leonie, either by being friends or clients, so it was nice to have them there to watch. And even Willi who helps do the stables in the mornings came along to watch. It was really lovely!It was also humbling to do a competition at a venue that wasn't set up with stables and well-surfaced arenas with white boards and flowerpots. Our competition arena likened to a sandpit with squelchy parts. The diagonal line went on a constant undulating line, it was quite funny to try and do an extended trot across it! We all had to do our canter pirouettes right in the boggy spots too, but I was really lucky that Seb didn't seem to notice any difference and just went like normal.
The jumping side of the venue
My first ever rossette in Europe!
So since I got third, I was in the prize giving. Anyone who knows about Seb and his CDI prize-givings will know that he isn't the best at behaving. However I did have a suspicion that he just might in this one, because his respect for me as his rider is so much greater. And I was right, he was good! He stood still through all of the clapping for the others, and when the music started pumping and we started off for the lap of honour, he did get quite excited but nothing terrible. His last round I did in trot and wowww I love it when he throws his legs around his ears haha!
Flowers I got from the prizegiving :)
I did actually want to get some flowers
for my room!
So, it was a good day, and Leonie was proud of me which means a lot. It did take 3 months to get Seb and I out to a comp, but I'm glad we waited that long because it was a much better feeling to go out knowing you have a chance than to go out and know it won't be so great and not have any chance. Bring on the next one!
